As Mormon's,
and most any religion I assume, your goal in life is
salvation. I'm not sure you really think about it that way, all the time
anyway, but that is the goal. Your religion, whichever it is, owns your
salvation, and they make sure you feel the need to adhere to its beliefs, so
that your salvation is secure. The teachings are easy to believe, no
matter how ridiculous they are, because there's little incentive to
examine them, since you're saved.
As I've learned
that the church that I was born and raised in, is not what it claims to
be, and no other religion seems to pass a thorough examination either, I
have begun to question salvation in general. I believe in God, I just don't
believe we need to be saved in this life, I think this life has
another purpose. Religion teaches you that you need salvation, and the
institution that tells you that, also happens to hold the keys to that
salvation. I think this is a false notion, that gives religion a hold on
your thinking, time, family, and money. It takes a very courageous person
to examine their religion, it's easy to see the falsehoods in other
religions, but very challenging to see them in your own. Why is
it so challenging? Because you are taught that anything or
anyone that is suggesting to you to look at your religion is
dangerous and your salvation may be at stake if you take a look, and
it is foolish to listen to anyone who is obviously wrong, or
evil, or trying to dupe you. It's much safer to only look at things
that are approved by the church... says the church. After
all, your church is only concerned about you and your
salvation! Or, you might just tell yourself, I don't have to look I know
I have the truth. And how do you know that? You have been told
that by all those around you. You associate with people that believe
the same as you, and everything you do and feel, reinforces that truth to
you.
So if this life is
not about salvation, what is God up to? I'll tell you what I
think God is all about, and this really isn't new thinking for me,
the "no need for salvation" is new to me, but the rest
isn't. I've said before, I believe that God is love. I think
God wants us to learn to be happy. I really think this life is about
happiness, and learning how to be happy, and making others
happy. Love is the main ingredient in finding that happiness.
Love is the basis of it all, and if I have this wrong, I choose to live my
life this way anyway. And any God that proclaims to be a God of
love, could not possibly be unhappy with a person who sees life this way
and chooses to live life this way. What would be the point in
condemning or damming a person who chose to see life as a learning
ground for attaining happiness, and trying to make others happy through
love and compassion. This may seem like a very
simplified answer to life, but just try it! Have the courage to let go of
your beliefs, just long enough to see the simplicity of love, happiness, joy,
peace, and acceptance. You may like it so much, that you never go
back to a prior way of thinking again.
